Speaking of Tom DeLay, the (now former) House Majority Leader was, as you all know by now, indicted yesterday on charges of criminal conspiracy: A Texas grand jury indicted House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Tex.) yesterday on a charge of criminally conspiring with two political associates to inject illegal corporate contributions into 2002 state elections that helped the … [Read more...] about DeLay and denial

In case you missed it, the giant squid, one of the great monsters of the deep and one of the most curious creatures on the planet, has finally been filmed live in its own habitat. Quite extraordinary. (Certainly more so than the indictment and subsequent resignation of that monster of the political deep, Tom DeLay. More on that in a moment.) … [Read more...] about Behold, the giant squid!

...you can turn to my weblog, Random Fate, where I review two new developments in the technology associated with the chemistry of carbon which may not be widely known from reporting in the mainstream media. … [Read more...] about For more non-political reading…

A San Antonio area school district just named a high school after Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens. Two funny stories result: "Are you the guy from Fiesta Texas?" a student in a special education class asked the justice as he shook his hand. The student wasn't thinking about legal arguments and precedents. He was thinking about the man in the dark suit and bow tie who … [Read more...] about Like, I’m TOTALLY a Supreme Court Justice!

U.S. District Court Judge (and former JAG attorney) Alvin K. Hellerstein puts a stake through the Bush administration's claim that releasing pictures of American abuse in Abu Gharib will embolden terrorists. Proof of our intentions and admission of our errors will be our greatest allies in this war on terror. Covering up torture only insures that the issue never dies, and this … [Read more...] about “Our nation does not surrender to blackmail”

File this one in the Evolution of America's Educational System Department: you now get a college degree in video games — which sounds as lucrative s being a philosophy major, right? WRONG:"Be lame or get game," boasts one advertisement that promises to train students in the arts of animation and visual effects. "Without guys like me, you'd still be playing Pong," is the … [Read more...] about Now YOU Can Major In Video Games

Thanks for your patience. Even with lots of breaking news there are some complicating factors today causing delays from our end. Keep checking back from posts by our independent co-bloggers. We'll be putting some more new items on this site today and should be back to normal tomorrow. … [Read more...] about Thanks For Your Patience….

The latest twists and turns in the Massachusetts gay marriage debate. … [Read more...] about Democracy for Sale, $1 Each!

This post by Legal Fiction (one of my very favorite blogs) is good for two wholly independent reasons. First, it gives a great analysis of the fallout, how Democrats should (and shouldn't) capitalize, and the overall systemic nature of corruption in the Washington Halls of Power (IE, don't fetishize DeLay). Second, there's this passage at the end: Finally, in light of the … [Read more...] about Ethnic Strife

The chaos affecting US politics in general, and the right-wing in particular, can be seen in my reactions posted at my own weblog, Random Fate, to two posts at Power Line, which is definitely a right-wing cheerleading weblog. The first: Dogs and cats sleeping together references the rarity in which I am in accord with the sentiments expressed at Power Line. The second: Of … [Read more...] about Lines both clear and blurred

John Roberts is now Chief Justice John Roberts:WASHINGTON (CNN) — Judge John Roberts was easily confirmed Thursday to be the 17th chief justice of the United States, winning Senate approval with a solid majority. He is expected to be sworn in to the post later in the day. The 78-22 vote ended a nearly three-month roller coaster ride for the 50-year-old federal appeals … [Read more...] about John Roberts Confirmed As Supreme Court Chief Justice

Were people too hard on him? Dartblog makes the case for "yes." … [Read more...] about Reconsidering Former FEMA Chief Michael Brown

Indicted Tom DeLay has stepped down as House Majority Leader temporarily, we are told, but now the real dilemmas surface over his successor, his party's stance towards him and his case, the response of Democrats — and the values the nation will choose by the way it reacts to these multi-fold dramas. Now, as DeLay becomes the first House leader to go on trial in a … [Read more...] about The DeLay Dilemma And The Successor Search

Your tax dollars at work (or at non-work), according to the AP:BOCA RATON, Fla. - Students say they hear a lot of profanity on television, and a high school easing its penalties for swearing now says television is where they should look for model language.Do we sense a pass the buck in responsibilities here. Read on (if you dare):Boca Raton Community High School students used … [Read more...] about School IS &@!*&!!@ Rad These Days

SORRY but we've been delayed on our posts for today's edition of TMV. Posts will be appearing throughout the day so do stay tuned! We're in the process of staying up verrrry late to do a major post on the Tom DeLay indictment...plus there should be breaking news today if, as expected, John Roberts is confirmed as Supreme Court Chief Justice. We will be in our office...and our … [Read more...] about We’ve Been Delayed (Not DeLayed)

...you can see a few more photos from Lyon, France at my weblog, Random Fate. … [Read more...] about For a break from politics…

I'm obviously delighted to see DeLay indicted--but by itself, that's not news. What's important is the reaction, how are people treating the issue, and what does it mean for '06? Short answer: Democrats should make into the premier topic of conversation. Power-mad Republicans is an issue with resonance, staying power, and wide appeal. It also has the benefit (so rare in … [Read more...] about Shock the System

The AP's Larry Margasak has the story. A Texas grand jury on Wednesday charged Rep. Tom DeLay and two political associates with conspiracy in a campaign finance scheme, an indictment that could force him to step down as House majority leader. DeLay attorney Steve Brittain said DeLay was accused of a criminal conspiracy along with two associates, John Colyandro, former … [Read more...] about House Majority Leader Tom DeLay Indicted

If you have a weblog, you might want to check this post on Michael Brown to see if you're included in the roundup. It seems as if not all of the trackbacks have been working. … [Read more...] about Our Trackbacks Not Working

In other words, a desperate move by the Bush White House to look good after looking so bad during the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Here's how The Seattle Times puts it: Facing criticism that he appeared disengaged from the disaster wrought by Hurricane Katrina, President Bush has been looking for opportunities to show his concern. But the White House will take the … [Read more...] about Laura Bush to appear on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition